All of the guide books will tell you to walk the Golden Gate Bridge, ride a cable car, and take a stroll through the Castro —and if you're a first-timer, you'll want to check out those standard sights (they're popular attractions for a reason).

But if you're on the hunt for San Francisco destinations beloved by locals and not completely overrun with tourists, here are nine activities sure to fit the bill.

Thanks to its hilly landscape, San Francisco boasts plenty of high-elevation spots perfect for catching a scenic vista of the buildings and the bay. For a particularly lovely view featuring a piece of highly-functional public art, head to Golden Gate Heights and ascend the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, located at the intersection of 16th Ave and Moraga St.

Completed in 2005, the steps were a collaboration between community activists and San Francisco-based artists, all determined to create a permanent installation to beautify the neighborhood. The 163-step staircase features a "sea to stars" motif with rich colors, seashells embedded in the tilework, and intricate details representing local flora and fauna.

Once you finish climbing the steps, you'll be treated to panoramic views of San Francisco and the bay. For a particularly stunning sight, climb up to the top right before sunset.

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Pay your respects to San Francisco's beatnik past at City Lights Bookstore.

Now an official San Francisco landmark, City Lights remains open for business, with an impressive selection of world lit and volumes on the arts and progressive politics. It's a must-do for bibliophiles with an interest in San Francisco's groovy cultural history.

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Load up on regional produce and international specialties at The Alemany Farmer's Market.

San Francisco's mild weather and penchant for mindful eating makes it an ideal place to hit up a farmer's market. The oldest Bay Area farmer's market —founded in the 1940s — the Alemany Farmer's Market in Bernal Heights features reasonable prices, earning it a reputation as "the people's market".

Alemany vendors supply all the seasonable produce you could ever want, including herbs and fruits specific to Asian cuisine like Thai basil, jackfruit, and Chinese eggplant. Butchers and fishmongers provide locally-sourced meats and fresh-caught fish, and the market also includes prepared food stands serving up dishes like tamales, samosas, and pupusas. For an authentic, only-in-San-Francisco shopping experience minus the hipster vibes, The Alemany Farmer's Market is the place to go.

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Hike up Billy Goat Hill and take a photo on the Instagram-worthy rope swing.

Hiking is a popular pastime in San Francisco (logical, given the topography). A park beloved by new and experienced hikers alike, Billy Goat Hill rests on the border of Diamond Heights and Noe Valley and features a small 0.2-mile network of hiking trails. Once you reach the hill peak at the end of the trails, the daring Instagrammers among you can hop aboard the rope swing hanging from a tree branch extending over the abyss.

The rope swings are a continuous community effort. Vandals frequently cut down the swings, but neighborhood residents quickly replace them on a regular basis, allowing the impressive feats of nerve —and photo potential — to persist.

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Grab a drink at Coin-Op, a funky bar/arcade with a sci-fi speakeasy hidden inside.

If you like some activities along with your beer, Coin-Op in the South Park neighborhood is the place. This two-story drinking den includes a substantial list of California craft beers, a menu of on-theme cocktails like the It's A Super Smash, Bro with rye whiskey, amaro, blackberries, lemon, and orange aromatic bitters and the Princess Peach with white tea-infused gin, peach liqueur, lemon, and soda water. Bar bites include chili cheese fries with brisket chili, beer fondue, chive crema, and pickled red onion and a lobster pizza with brown butter garlic sauce, crispy pancetta, wilted spinach, and sun-dried tomato pesto.

The Coin-Op Game Room includes over 50 classic video games, from Pac-Man to Frogger to Donkey Kong. Once you're done rocking the pinball machines, you may want a calmer, more cocktail-oriented refuge. Luckily, Coin-Op has its very own in-house speakeasy, known as The Grid.

This sleek, minimalistic space draws decor inspiration from "Tron," with neon lights and futuristic accents. As for the cocktails, they're both artisanal and playful, with options like the Not All Falls Will Kill You (mezcal, matcha syrup, lime, sriracha, and seltzer) and the Root Beer Float (housemade vanilla ice cream, sarsaparilla elixir, corn whiskey, sarsaparilla bitters, and soda water). The Grid is reservations-only, and bookings can be made on Yelp.

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Tour Alcatraz — but do it at night.

The island of Alcatraz— formerly home to a federal prison and now the location of a public recreation center and a National Historic Landmark — is an undeniably popular spot for tourist visits. Alcatraz tours involve a scenic San Francisco Bay ferry ride along with guided walking experiences on the island itself. During the day, these excursions can get pretty crowded.

For a lesser-known, and arguably more interesting view of Alcatraz, sign up for Alcatraz Cruises' Night Tour instead. These tours begin at sunset, allowing for unbeatable waterfront views of the city and the Golden Gate Bridge. After a sail around the island to catch a glimpse of hidden escape routes and prison structures, nighttime visitors can enjoy in the same walking tour features as the daytime guests, with an added element of spookiness from the evening darkness.

This 500-mile path borders the entirety of the San Francisco Bay, so if you're really feeling it, you can take a full Bay Area cycle tour from San Jose up to Napa. But even if you'd rather stay within San Francisco city limits, the Bay Trail offers pleasant sea breezes, beautiful city and bridge views, and access to San Francisco's popular waterfront neighborhoods like the Embarcadero and the Marina.

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Feast on a gargantuan burrito at La Taqueria.

While exploring San Francisco without focusing on typical tourist attractions makes for a unique trip, there are a few classic venues that deserve a visit in spite of their popularity with out-of-towners. One such location? La Taqueria, home to the absolute best burrito in the Mission District.

You'll want to head to La Taqueria early, as lines begin forming out the door shortly after opening at 11am. You can get tacos if you want, but ask anyone who's been and they'll tell you to stick with the Mission burritos. These gargantuan wraps are the size of your forearm and come fully loaded with rice, beans, fresh pico de gallo, onion, cilantro, and hot sauce. Fillings include standards like carnitas and chorizo or specialty items like beef tongue and head cheese. But for the ultimate Mission burrito experience, keep it classic with carne asada.

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Take a ride on the Seward Street Slides.

Seward Mini Park is built on a hill in The Castro, making it the ideal location for the highly-interactive piece of public art located within. Designed by a local teen and installed in the 1973, the Seward Street Slides are a pair of concrete chutes that swoop down the park's slope, creating an exhilarating ride for those brave enough to attempt it.

Technically, any adults wishing to use the slides must be accompanied by a child —but if you're quick or you visit during off-peak times, you can probably sneak in a speedy ride. Come prepared with a sheet of cardboard to sit on, and you'll be good to go.

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